The new Center will conduct engineering and development activities for both product and technology development across Embraer’s business lines with the first assignments primarily focused on executive jet interiors.

It will include a laboratory for the development and testing of materials and interior components.

“As we celebrate the 35th anniversary of our North American presence this month, we areonce again expanding our longstanding relationship with the State of Florida and the Brevard community with the opening of a cutting-edge Engineering & Technology Center,” said Frederico Fleury Curado, Embraer President and CEO.

“With the highly qualified team of engineers that will work in these offices and laboratories, we will bring the most advanced solutions to our customers.”

Gov. Rick Scott

The Center is located on General Aviation Drive at the Melbourne International Airport on 13 acres of land facing the existing Phenom 100 and Phenom 300 final assembly facility and the Embraer Executive Jets Customer Center, which were opened in 2009 and 2011, respectively.

Some 70 engineers have already been hired and have been operating in a temporary facility near the airport since 2012. Employment is scheduled to ramp up to a total of 200 by 2016.

According to the company, one of the key drivers for choosing Melbourne was its skilled labor force. Additionally, the availability of land for a green field start-up was important, as were proximity to established operations and the pro-business climate in Florida, Brevard County and the City of Melbourne.

Embraer’s commitment to Florida and their creation of 200 jobs will help more Florida families get back to work and live the American Dream,” Governor Rick Scott said.

“This project is great news for the Space Coast and I’m excited to see this company grow as they open today. Since December 2010, we have created more than 620,000 private-sector jobs and we will continue working hard to create an opportunity where every Floridian who wants a job can get one.”

Jesse Panuccio

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Director Jesse Panuccio was among the hundreds of state and local leaders in attendance at the ceremony.

Embraer is a leader in the aerospace industry and their choice to expand operations in Florida is a big win for our state. By adding 200 research and engineering jobs to the Melbourne community and the state’s economy, Embraer is contributing to our economic turnaround story,” Panuccio said.

“This administration is committed to building an opportunity economy in which businesses have the supports and confidence to grow and create jobs for Florida families.”

Melbourne International Airport Executive Director Gregory Donovan said, “Forward thinking: that’s the distinctive operating environment at Melbourne International Airport. We applaud Embraer’s innovative strategy to expand; taking full advantage of our corporate campuses, abundant runways and expansive infrastructure. We are committed to Embraer’s long-term success by providing immediate accessibility to an international airport designed for an impressive future.”

Kathy Meehan

Embraer could have committed to this level of growth at any of their locations, but they chose to do so in Melbourne,” said City of Melbourne mayor Kathy Meehan.

“There isn’t a greater compliment than repeat business and we’re thrilled to play host to Embraer’s third project in our aviation centric city. Long-term investment from a global leader and model corporate citizen doesn’t happen every day. As a community, we’re honored its happening here.”

Today we celebrate another milestone in what has become a strong and thriving relationship between Embraer, a world class company, and Brevard County, a world-class community,”said Mary Bolin Lewis, District 4 commissioner and chairman of the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners. “The Space Coast is the place for engineering and technology.”

Space Coast Economic Development Commission CEO Lynda Weatherman speaks to Space Coast Daily and other media at the opening of Embraer’s new Engineering and Tech center at Melbourne International Airport. (SpaceCoastDaily.com image)

Space Coast Economic Development Commission president and CEO Lynda Weatherman said that the Embraer facility will foster next generation technological advancement for the company.

“Embraer opened the door to the rapidly growing aviation sector in Brevard, and as a result, our community’s stock has risen,” Weatherman said.

“In a matter of years, the face of the Space Coast’s business community has transformed into a hotbed of aviation activity because this dedicated community team was able to show Embraer what we had to offer, our workforce, our lifestyle, our aviation heritage and our forward vision. That message is translating into new opportunities for the Space Coast.”

For the past three years, Embraer has been named One of Best Companies to Work for in Florida.